Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp has insisted his team will be ready when the Champions League kicks off in September, after being handed a tough draw.
Back in May, Liverpool suffered an agonising 3-1 defeat against Real Madrid in the European Cup final, after blowing away their competition to reach the showpiece event in Kiev.
The Reds saw off FC Porto, Manchester City and AS Roma in the knockout stages but ultimately fell short at the last hurdle, allowing the Spanish giants to secure their third consecutive title in the process.
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That night will be remembered more for Loris Karius’ nightmare display in goal than anything else, but with Alisson now between the sticks for Liverpool after moving to Anfield in the summer, supporters will no doubt be optimistic that the team can go one better than last season by lifting the trophy next year.
The German boss spoke to Liverpool’s official website in the wake of their draw for the group stage of the 2018-19 Champion League, which saw his men pitted against PSG, Napoli and Red Star Belgrade.
#UCL Group C confirmed. ? #UCLdraw pic.twitter.com/WLa7MiTIj6
— Liverpool FC (@LFC) August 30, 2018
Klopp told LFC.com: “I expected a difficult group, we have a difficult group and that’s what the Champions League is all about.
“PSG are one of the most exciting teams in the world and I think their target is to win the Champions League, so that will be two interesting matches.
“Napoli, we beat them in pre-season but it goes without saying these two games will be completely a different challenge.
“It’s a big challenge, but for all the others it is a big challenge to face us.
“We want to go through the group. It will be difficult but still we want to go through. That’s the plan, so now let’s start working on it.”
On the domestic front, Liverpool have made a blistering start to the new season with three wins out of three and if they can produce that kind of form in Europe during the run-up to Christmas, there is every chance that they will emerge from Group C as genuine candidates for the trophy once again.